Mattress tufting machine



July 20, 1937. H. MorLEY nwfranss TUFMNQMGHINE gritar/muys A July zo, 1937. w. H. MQRLEY 2,087,847

MATTRESS TUFT'ING itMACHINE 4 sheets-sheet 2 July 20, 1937- y w. H. MoRLEY `2,087,847

MATTRESS TUFTING MACHINE original Filed Nov. 2, 1952 4 sheets-sheet 4 IWI/n or Wm TER H. M0171. EY

Patented July 20, 1937 UNITED .SATES FA'ENT GEMM?.

Application November ,2, 1932, Serial No. 640,829 Renewed July 27, 1936. ln lCanada November 256 Claims.

'Ihis invention relates to a machine for performing certain operations on a mattress, and particularly to a machine constructed and arranged for tufting mattresses.. The machine is adapted for tufting different kinds of mattresses and both the inner-spring mattress and the felt filled mattress. In many mattress manufacturing establishments the tufting is done by hand, and the operation is thus quite slow.

It is an object of this invention, therefore, to

provide a machine by the use of which an operator can easily, quickly and emciently perform the tufting operation with the minimum amount of labor.

A further object is to provide a simply constructed inexpensive and durable machine which has but few parts to get out of order and which requires a minimum of oor space and which further has no relatively costly parts actively 20 engaged with the mattress and liable to be broken.

A furtherobject is to provide a machine by the use of which a very effective tufting job can be done on the mattress, the completed mattress having a finished appearance and the tufts tied so that there is practically no possibility of them working loose.

A further object is to provide a tufting machine wherein a tufting needle is used which is movable longitudinally of the mattress to complete a row of tufting, the mattress lying inert during such operation and wherein the mattress can be subsequently readily shifted to position for the starting of a following row oftufting.

A further object of the invention is to provide a machine with means for effectively compressing the mattress during the interval that a needle is being passed therethrough, a particular feature of the present invention being that pressure bars are used to compress the mattress. for its entire length and hold it compressed during the interval that a row of tufting is being done from end to end of the mattress and are arranged also so that they can then be freed from 4 5 the mattress to permit of the setting of the mattress as required for the starting of another row of tufting.

A further object of the invention is toprovide a machine constructed to hold the mattress compressed during the interval that a needle is being passed in the manipulation of the machine through the mattress and which permits the operator to place by hand the looped tie string with an attached lower tuft or object in the eye of the needle after the needle has been projected (Cl. M23-3) through the mattress and subsequently tie by hand manipulation the top tuft or object to the the tie string after the needle has emerged from the upper face of the mattress.

It isa further object of the invention to provide 5 a mechanism for compressing the mattress during the tufting operationand holding the mattress so compressed.

`It is a further object of the invention to provide a machine having means for compressingl 10 the mattress and holding it compressed, together with means for piercing the mattress and carrying a flexible member therethrough which is movable throughout the length of the mattress so as to operate at different points thereon. 15

It is a further object' of the invention to provide a vsimple and efficient method for tufting a mattress.

It is a further object of the invention to provide a mattress tufting machine having simple and 20 -emcient means for spacing the tufts, as well as simple and efficient means for gauging the tufts adjacent one end of the mattress.

These and other objects and advantages of the invention will be fully set forth in the following 'description made in connection with the accompanying drawings, in which like reference characters refer to similar parts throughout the several views and in which:-

Fig. 1 is a View taken substantially on line 30 i-i of Fig. zl, as indicated by the arrow, some parts being further broken away;

Fig. 2 is a partial vertical section illustrating the method of carrying a tuft forming member through the mattress;

Fig. 3 is a View similar to Fig. 2, showing a subsequent step of the method;

Fig. .4 is a view in end elevation of the machine as seen from the left of Fig. 1;

Fig. 5 is a verticalsection taken substantially 40 .on line 5 5 of Fig. 1, as indicated by the arrows;

Fig. 6 is a top plan View of the machine;

Fig. 7 is a partial vertical section illustrating the method of passing a tape through the mattress;

Fig. 8 is a similar view showing steps subsequent to that shown in Fig. '7;

Fig. 9 is a similar View of a later step, also illustratingthe method and means used in tying the tape;

Fig. 10 is a top plan View of a gauge member used;

Fig. 1l

is a view in side elevation of said member showing the carrying angle bar in section;

Fig. 12 is a partial section taken substantially on line Il-Il of Fig. 5;

Fig. 13 is a partial view similar to- Fig. 5 shown on an enlarged scale.

Referring to the drawings, a machine is shown comprising a frame having end portions Il and l2. While these portions could be made of various shapes and materials, in the embodiment of the invention illustrated each is shown as comprising a base member Het and 12a respectively which is in the form of an angle bar and has its angle directed outwardly. Vertical members lllb and |213 extend upward from and are secured respectively to members lla and l2a|, said` members having their angles directed outwardly and having one vertical flange directed rearwardly. Rear` members llc and i2c` extend upwardly and forwardly from and are secured to base members Ha and I2a respectively, these members also having their angles directed outwardly and having one vertical flange directed forwardly, Members lic and Vl il) are connected at their upper lportions by a horizontal member lid also illustrated as an angle bar having its angle directed inwardly and one flange extending inwardly. Members lic and Hb are connected to member l la by the headed and nutted bolts I3 and the members I2C and [2b are connected to member lla by the headed and nuttec bolts i4. Member Hd is connected to members lib and llc by the headed and nutted bolts l5 and said bolts also pass through and assist in securing to said members gusset plates I6. Additional headed and nutted bolts l'l pass through member lid and gusset plate it and additional headed and nutted bolts i8 pass through the gusset plates l5 and members llc and Hb respectively, securing said plates to said latter members; A top member 22d extends horizontally between the upper ends of members 12b and I2c, the same having its angle directed inwardly and being secured to said members by the headed and nutted bolts I9. Bolts lli also extend through and assist in securing in place the gusset plates 20. Said plates are also secured to member 82d by the headed and nutted bolts 2l and to members 52d and I2C respectively by the headed and nutted bolts 22. End frames H and l2 therefore constitute similar trapezoids. Said end frames are connected at their upper ends by the front members or cross rails 23 andthe rear members or cross rails 24 which extend between and are secured to members lid and ld. While members 23 and 24 might be made in various shapes, in the embodiment of the invention illustrated they are shown as made of angle bars having horizontal flanges engaging the horizontal flanges of members lid and l2d having their angles facing inwardly and their outer flanges extending vertically. Said members are connected to members lld and l2d by angular clips or brackets 25 through which pass the bolts 2S. The members llc and l2c are braced and connected by the crossed bars 2l bolted thereto and connected at their central and crossing points by the bolt 28.

The members Hb and |25 have secured thereto at their upper portions and spaced forwardly a short distance therefrom, channel bars 29 and 3D respectively, said bars having their channels facing each other or inwardly of the machine and being spaced from the front vertical web of members IIb and 42h by the spacing bushings or thimbles 3i through which pass the bolts 32 sev45 are rigidly secured to the shaft curing said channel members in place. The heads of bolts 3'? are countersunk in the flanges of channels E@ and Sil so that the inner sides of the channels are unobstructed. Said channel members have formed in their web portions adjacent the upper and lower ends thereof, elongated slots 29a and litio:` respectively. A member 33 shown as an angle bar extends between the channel members 2Q and 3% carried at its end by curved brackets 34 which are bolted by bolts 35 to guide blocks 35 having guide rollers 3l at their sides opposite said brackets which move in the channels of members 29 and Sil and are guided vertically therein. Another member 33 also shown as an angle bar extends between members 29 and 3B above member 33 and is connected at its ends to curved brackets 3S secured to the guide blocks l0 by bolts il which guide blocks have mounted thereon spaced rollers i2 also movable in the channels of members ZEE and 3@ and guided vertically thereby. Bars 33 and 3d have formed therein elongated slots 3 :l and extending substantially from end to end thereof. Erackets 3Q have their upper sides concave and are oppositely disposed to the brackets '59. Angle bars 33 and 38 have one flange extending horizontally forwardly and have their vertical flanges extending upwardly and downwardly in opposite directions and in the same plane. Blocks have bolts 365e secured thereto extending outwardly through the Vlower slots 29a and sila which pass through the upper ends of and hold in place the links 133. The upper ends of links i3 are disposed closely adjacent the outer sides oi channels and 3D and are bent outwardly closely adjacent said ends and have their lower ends pivotally connected by the bolts la to a double ended lever 45. The lower end of link i3 is curved forwardly andextends as shown in Fig. 4 around and beneath the shaft it to which both levers lli are secured at the respective ends of the machine, said shaft being journaled in bearings il bolted to members lib and llo by the bolts Levers The block il has a headed bolt or pin Il@ projecting outwardly therefrom and extending through the upper slot Sila which passes through an aperture in upper end of a link 5l). rihe upper ends of ks 5&3 are also disposed closely adjacent the outer sides of channel members 2S and respectively and said links are bent outwardly just below said l. the

Vends and extend downwardly at the outer sides of links i3 and have their lower ends connected by the pivot bolts 5| to the ends of the double arm levers 45 opposite the ends to which links il@ connected. As shown in Figs. e and 5, the links 5! are disposed forwardly of links 43 and are curved rearwardly at their lower ends. Said links also extend forwardly and downwardly from "r' lower ends so that the vertical portion as shown in Figs. 4 and 5 is in front or the channel members 29 and 3e. One of the double arm levers i5 shown at the right hand side of Fig. l has a projecting hub lrorn which extend radially and substantially at right angles to each other, arms f-'lal and 45h', the same havin'I secured at their end portions the handles l.L e bar 33 has secured thereto in the corner or" its channel blocks 53 preferably made of wood and one side of the hinge 54 is secured beneath each block, the other side of said hinges being secured beneath the strip 55 on which supported an openwork tab-le at. 'While this table may be made of various materials, in the embodiment of the invention illustrated it is shown as comprising spaced side pieces 56a between which extend the spaced slats th. Another strip 51 l'extends lengthwise beneath the outer side of table 56 and has secured adjacent its ends angle brackets 58. 'Bars 50 illustrated as angle bars aresecured to the brackets 50 and have their 'lower ends secured to the front of base members Ila and |2a respectively and by the'bolts 3 and I4 respectively. The blocks 53 also have secured to'th'eir under sides one of the hinges 50, the 'other side of which is secured to a strip 6|'which extends longitudinally beneathr and supports another Work table 62. While work table 62 may be variously made, in the embodiment ofthe invention illustrated it is composed of theV side bars or strips 62a between which extend the spaced slats 62h. Another bar or strip' 63 extends longitudinally beneath'the outer edge of table 62 and has secured adjacent its ends a pairof caster brackets 5t carrying the caster wheels 65. Caster wheels 55 run upon the members I66 illustrated as angle bars having their vertical flanges secured by bolts 6l to members llc, |'2c and IIb and |2b and having their horizontal flanges facing inwardly and on which rollers65 run. -A rather wide strip orv board 68 `extends horizontally just above andparallel to members SI5-and is also secured by screws |59' to theendframe members I2C and |211. The member' 68 extends from members |212 rearwardly of' the-machine and has its rear edge alinedwith the rear end of member 66. Another plate orboard .68d` isprovided, similar to board 68, and of the same length.

Board 68a, is carried by and has secured thereto a pair of parallel rods 60h which rods-are joined attheir ends by a cross piece 68e having formed therein a grip handle 68d. 'Rods '68h are guided inbores drilled in a plate 68e'having ybossesl 68f projecting outwardly therefrom. Rods 68b-are slidable through lsaid boresso that board or-plate 68a. can be moved tov diierent positions as indicated in dotted lines inFigs. 1 and 6,`always-'re maining at right angles to'strip 63 andthus be disposed at different distancesV from the vend of the machine. Bars 68h eachhave formedtherein a series of holes 68gv adapted to be engagedby the downwardly turned ends 68h of resilient or spring arms 681' secured to4 the-cross member 68e, said projections 68h 4extending downwardly through the bosses 681. With the described construction, plate `68a canv be moved lengthwisev of the machine in parallel relation-.to lplate' and 4can be held in any one ofseveralfpositions lby side membersvv 70a illustrated as made'from angle bars `having one -ilange'"horizontalI and their angles directed away from eachother, thevertical flanges extending downwardly-from the horizontal flanges. l"Bars" a are connected by the cross bars 'i019Y andare further connected-'at their central portions by'a bar 'lt'illustrated'as in the form of a T bar with'its central web'jextending vertically. A bar 'i2 of'flatformerectangular in cross section extends verticallyfffrom the front of said carriage, the samelbeing secured to the front member 10a. and tomember 1|. Bar l2 has secured to its front side a bracket 'i3 having forwardly extending lugs 13a at its" top and bottom apertured to form guides fora vertically movable plungerld shown as lcylindrical in form. Plunger 'F0 has a block l5 secured thereto, the sides of which areHembraced---byclownfwardly extending arms'disposed at either side Vof `a-yoke bracket 16 embracing plunger 'M and bracket I 'i3 f and having projecting outwardly *therefrom a handle 16a. Yoke bracket i6 has "projecting rearwardly from its yoke or open porri-t'ionan arm 16h. vArmlh' has pivoted at either side thereof by a pivot bolt lita, the upper ends of a'pairoflinks 4i8, the lower ends of which are disposed-'at either side of the web of bar 7| and pivotedthereto bythe pivot bolt 19. The bar 12 has at -its upper enda pair of rearwardly and horizontally/projecting spaced arms '12a and theup- "iper-'ends of-a pair of'springs 'H are connected respectively to these arms, `the lower ends of said springs being connected to arms 'i612 just rearwardly of the yoke portion of the bracket i8. The vplungerv'fll has secured to its lower end a block orf-holder 80 to which is removably secured a neeld1ef8|, Vsaid needle being held in place by a screw 'A582 and being removable by loosening said screw. v[Needle 8| is sharpened at its lower end and has formed yin oneside an open ended slot or eye 8m which extends atan angle to the axis of said ineedle. The angle members 10a have secured therein adjacent each endthereof studs 88 on f the lower lends of which are journaled rollers @Il disposed to engagev the inner sides of the vertical flanges of angle bars'23 and 24. Said angle bars 10a also have secured in their vertical flanges ya short'distance from studs 83, the studs 85 on `which are journaled rollersli disposed to engage the top of the horizontal anges of angle-bars 23 vand 24. VThe angle bars 10a also have secured at fthe outer sides Aof `the angles and to the vertical anges depending brackets 8l. Brackets 3l have I easilyalong the members and 2d.

:The carriage v'I0 has secured thereto in the rear ofbar "12a hollow casing |02 bored to receive a vertically'movable plunger |ll3 having a pin |04 secured therein and projecting at one side there- "ofywhichextends through a slot |02a, in the side VVofgcasing |02. A compression coil spring |05 is vdisposed in casing |02'engaging the top of plunger |03 at one end and engaging at its upper end the *plug |06 threaded into the top of casing IGZ and having an z angularly shaped projecting portion ``adapted to be engaged by a wrench. Plunger `|03 is forkedat its lower end and has secured there- 'ina pin |01 onl which is journaled a small roller 168. "The roller |08 is adapted to engage in any rone of a plurality of semi-cylindrical notches |09a 'f'formed in a bar |09 which is substantially square `in cross section The notches |0905 are dis- "posed midway between the sides of the bar and "thereis va series of such notches on each side of said-bar. Bar |09 extends through an opening in v*theupperportion ofthe T-shaped member 'H and `'extendsfrom end-to end of the machine above `memberl 23, the same'having adjacent its ends reduced f portions journaled in brackets. ||0 mounted-on the end members Hd and |211. At vthe left hand end ofthe machine as seen in Fig. 1 bar |09 has secured thereto a disc having on its outer face'and'spaced 90 degrees apart, the'numbers 5, 6, `'7, and 8. Disc is provided-with notches |`|a lalso spaced 90 degrees llo fis`

apart, any one of which is adapted to be engaged by the projection ||2a extending from a spring lever M2 secured to one of the brackets I Hl. Shaft |39 can therefore be rotated by means of the disc and maintained with any one of its sides uppermost and adapted to be engaged by the roller |68.

As shown in Figs. 7 and 8, the plunger 14 may have secured thereto a head 90 having secured therein a pair of needles 9| and 92 removabhT held in said head by the screws 93. Needle 9| has an open ended slot or eye Sla adjacent its lower pointed end, said slot extending downwardly into said needle at an angle to the axis thereof. Needle 92 has an open ended slot or eye 92a adjacent its lower pointed end and this slot extends upwardly in said needle toward its bottom at an angle to the axis of said needle.

In Fig. 9 a gauge member or dolly 94 is shown, over which the tape is tied in the tape-tying operation. In Figs. 10 and 11 anotherftype-of gauge or dolly is shown, which comprises a substantially elliptical or oblong member H4 which is provided with an opening at its lower end so that member H4 can be placed on the Vertical iiange of member 38 as shown in Figs. 10 and l1. An arm ||4a extends forwardly from the oblong portion of member i |4- `and the member I |42) projects some distance at either side of arm H411, the same being oblong in vertical cross section. Member H45 extends parallel to the vertical flange of member 38.

In operation when a mattress, designated IBI, is to be tufted, the same is placed upon the table 62 and at this time thefmembers 33 and 33 are separated and in a position shown in Figs. 1 and 4 and plunger l/l is elevated as shown in Figs. l and 4. One side of the mattress is supported over the bar 33 and extends between bars 33 and 38 onto the narrower work table 56. The line in which the tuftings or tufts are to be formed is disposed between the bars 33 and 38 andin alinement with the line connecting the centers of openings 33a and 33a.. The number of tufts in various mattresses vary; in some there are five tufts spaced lengthwise of the mattress,V in others six, and in others there may be seven or eight. The operator rst positions board or platea in the desired position to give the number of` tufts desired. In positioning plate 53a the .operator rst lifts spring arm 381' so that their downturned ends 68h are removed from the holes 68g thus releasing rods 58h for sliding movement. The operator now grasps the handle 68d and pushes inwardly or pulls outwardly thereon as desired to move plate 38a to the desired position. When said plate is properly adjusted the ends 68h of the spring arms @Si will again move downwardly into a pair of the holes 38g and rods EBU-will again be locked in position with plate 68a in the desired position. The operator now moves the end of the mattress against the plate 68a and the mattress is in position for the placing of the first tuft. It will be understood that the operator will turn the wheel or disc by moving out member H2 so that the bar |39 has its proper side turned upward. If there are to be ve tufts spaced lengthwise of the mattress, the numeral 5 will be placed upward at the top of the disc andif other spacing is desired, the other numbers willbe accordingly brought to the top. The mattress being thus positioned, the operator takes hold of one of thehandles 52 jand vmovesthe same in a clockwise direction as shown in Fig. 7.5. This rotates slflait .456 andthe ydouble endedlevers 45 and the rotation of oscillation of the levers 45 moveslinks 43 upwardly and moves or pulls links 5|) downwardly, The operator can use both handles 52 if convenient and the levers 45 are brought to the position shown in Fig. 5 so that the pivots V5| are moved to the right of the vertical center line through the axis of shaft 46 and pivots 44 are moved to the left of the ver- .tical center line through shaft 43. These pivots are thus past dead center and the links 43 andv 56 as well as bars 33-and 33 are locked in position. The said movement of links 43 and 5|) causes the bars 33 and 38 to move toward each other and compresses the mattress therebetween as indicated by the dotted lines in Fig. 5. mattress is thus compressed to compact and small thickness between the horizontal flanges of bars 33 and 38 and it is held in this position owing to the locking action of the links 43 and 50. The operator now takes hold of the lever 16a and moves the carriage longitudinally of the machine to one end of the mattress, the needle 8| 5 moving longitudinally over member 38 and in the line of the centersof the openings 33a and 38a. The carriage is moved until roller |38 engagesA inend notch H330. and the carriage is then in position for the first tuft to be made. The position of member 68a will determine the position of the rst tuft. This rst tuft will be at the sama distance from Vthe end of the mattress asthe rst notch |59a is fromY member 58a. The .operator now pulls downwardly on handle a and needle 8| pierces the mattress and passes therethrough and through the openings 33a and 33a as shown in Fig. 2. The operator now takes a tuiting cordv 95 which is looped as shown in Fig. 2 and has secured to one endv of the loop a button or head member 95. The operator places the end of the loop in the eye Sla and then allows lever 'l to move upwardly under the tensionrof springs |71 which were distended when handle 16a wasmoived downwardly. Needle 8| is retracted and `moves Vupwardly through and out of the mattress to the position shown in Fig. 3. As the needle 8| moves up through the mattress it pulls with it the cord 95. The operator now takes a button 91 having a staple 98 thereon, passes the end of the loop through the staple 98 and moves the end over the button Sl. The button is now held on the cord or loop 35. When this operation is completed, the operator moves to the next opening 38a in which it is desired to place the tuft and the operation is repeated. The carriage l0 rolls freely on members 23 and 24 and the operator merely holds the handle 16a. in moving the carriage and plunger to the next position to bring the needle to the next position. As the carriage is moved, the roller |98 rolls along the top ofthe bar |09 and when Va slot or pocket |El9a is reached, roller |38 snaps into this slot. TheY roller, of course, was in one of the slots for the first tuft made, and it will successively engage the slots as the carriage is moved. It may be stated thatit is the common practice to take every other slot for one row of tufts, and then take the alternate slots in making the next row of tufts. By this operation the tufts are staggered in the mattress. There are thus twice as many of the slots ||39a as there are indicated by the numbers on the disc The tufts are thus made lengthwise of the mattress for the full length thereof and when the row has been completed, the operator steps to the end of the ma- 4chine andagain rotates the handle levers 45 `and swingsthe double ended lever arms to the The i2 and the tufts are completed. The cords 95' are of uniform length and the tufts will therefore all be uniform throughout the row. It will be noted that inr this position thev pivots 5| areV at the left of the vertical line passingthrough the :axis of shaft. Q6 and the pivots i4 are tothe right. Bar 38 isthus heldin its upper position as the pivot bolt 36a is atthe bottom of the lower slot 39a.. The mattress is now moved forwardly to bring it to the position where another row of tufts will be made and the operator again rotates theflever arms 45a. and l5b by the handles 52 to again compress the mattress. The rows of tufts are thus made successively, the

mattress being moved for each row. I'he mati Vtress can be reversed after half of the rowsare placed therein, so that the main part of the mattress is for the greater part ofthe time on the wider table 62. The tufting of the mattress is v thus completed in a very short time.

One form of tufting known as tape-tufting, is

illustrated in Figs. 7 to 9. With the present machine this is accomplished by the use of a double needle as illustrated in-said figures. When the mattress has been compressed between the 'members 33 and 38, the operator takes the piece of tape |89 which has been cut tothe proper length and places it inthe eye 92a of the needle 92 having a short length of the tape projecting at one side of the needle. I-Ie then pulls down ion the lever 76a. moving both needles through the mattress and the tape is drawn downwardly and through the mattress by needle 92. Both needles are novv'projecting below the mattress and the operator takes hold of the end of the tape Hill removing the same from the slot 92a` and moving it around the other needle 9| and into the eye 9| a. This can be done very quicklyA and thetape then occupies the position in needle 9| shown in Fig. 8. The operator now releases lever a, the needles are moved upwardly through the mattress, and the tape is carried upwardly by needle 9| and drawn through the mattress. The tape now extends through the mattress in parallel lines with the bight at the middle portion of the tape on the under side of the mattress as shown in Fig. `9. A gauge orl dolly 94 is used, which is placed on the bar 38. The operator now ties the desired knot llllla in the tape at the top of member 94, the knot being drawn; up so that the tape is fairly taut over member 94. The operator then movesfthe carriage to the next position and repeats the operation. When the rowof tufts has been made, members 33 and 38 are moved apart as above described and` the mattress resumes its normal width. The tufts are made by the tape lili! eX-p tending through the mattress and all ofthe tufts will be uniform due to the fact that a uniform length has been made between the bight of the tape and the knot therein, as above described. The slots in needles 9| and-92 are made to converge toward their ends so as to be substantially wedge shaped. With this construction, the tape wedges in the slot and is conveyed through the mattress without slipping in the needle.

When the gauge member ||4` is used, it is' merely placed on the member 38 and can be slid along on this member as it is needed. The tape can be tied over the member ||l|b at either side some pivotal movement of the table 56 and this is accommodated by movement of the bars 59 which are pivoted at their upper and lower ends.

From the above description it is seen thatapplicant has provided a very simple, easily operated and efficient machine for tufting mattresses.l The operator soon becomes quite skillful in placing the co-rd members 95 in position and placing the buttons thereon, as well as in manipulating the tape |06 in the tape-tufting operation. The mattress is conveniently supported and the carriage l0 is quite easily moved to bring the needles intothe desired position. The tufting operation can be completed in a small part of the time necessary to perform the same by hand. The tufting is thus very quickly done and the tufts are all uniform. It is impossible to get all' the tufts uniform when the tape tufting is done by hand. At the same time the machine comprises no complicated or eX- p'ensive mechanism. The machine has been amply demonstrated in actual practice, and found to be very successful and efficient.

It will, of course` be understood that various changes may be made in the form, details, arrangement and proportions of the apparatus and in the steps and sequence of steps of the method without departing from the scope of applicants invention, which, generally stated, consists in a method and apparatus capable of carrying out the objects above setl forth, such as disclosed and dened in the appended claims.

What is claimed iszl. A mattress tufting machine having in combination, a pair of clamping members adapted to be disposed respectively on opposite sides of the mattress, means for moving said members toward each other to compress and hold said mattress, said members having openings therethrough, a plunger reciprocable above said members, means carried by said plunger for passing through said openings and piercing said mattress, said means being constructed andarranged to carry a cord or iiexible member through said mattress, and means for operating said plunger.

2. A mattress tufting machine having in combination, a frame, means for engaging and supporting a mattress, comparatively narrow clamping members extending' across said mattress disposed on opposite sides thereof and having alined openings therethrough, means for moving said members to compress a mattress and hold thesame compressed along a narrow zone extending across the same', a carriage mounted on said frame for travelling movement v member, a second clamping member above said member, means for moving said clamping members toward each other to clamp said members and hold the same in said clamped position, said members having alined openings therethrough, a' plunger reciprocable in alinement with said openings, and piercing and cord carrying means carried by said plunger adapted to pass through said openings and mattress.

4. A mattress tufting machine having in combination, a pair of members extending longitudinally of the machine and adapted to be moved apart and moved together for clamping and compressing said mattress, a carriage movable longitudinally of said machine, mattress piercing means carried by said carriage', a bar extending longitudinally of said machine having spaced depressions thereon, and means on said carriage for engaging said kdepressions to determine the points at which the mattress is to be pierced.

5. The structure set forth in claim ll, said bar having a plurality of sides and means for turning said bar to bring dierent sides into positionto be engaged by said last mentioned means, the depressions in the different sides of said bar being differently spaced.

6. A mattress tufting machine having in combination, means for compressing a mattress and means for piercing said mattress comprising a pair of pointed needles having points therein with an open slot extending into each of said points, said slot in one of said needles being directed upwardly at an angle to the axis of said needle and the slot in the other needle being directed downwardly at an angle to the axis of said needle.

'7. The structure set forth in claim G, a member to which both of said needles are secured at their upper ends and said slots in each of said needles being disposed at the side of said needle remote from the other needle.

8. A mattress tufting machine having in combination, a frame. a table for supporting a mattress, clamping means for said mattress adjacent the edge of said table, means for piercing said mattress and carrying a tufting member therethrough, an auxiliary table for said mattress at the side of said clamping member opposite said rst mentioned table, said clamping member being vertically movable and said tables being hingedly connected thereto.

9. The structure set forth in claim 8, a horizontal support on said frame, the side of said first mentioned table remote from said clamping :member being carried on and movable toward said clamping means on said support in the clamping operation.

10. A mattress tufting machine having in combination, means for compressing and holding a mattress and means for piercing said mattress comprising a pair of pointed needles each having an eye therein, the eye in one needle having an open portion directed upwardly and the eye in the other needle having an open portion directed downwardly.

11. The structure set forth in claim l0, said needles being disposed adjacent each other in parallel relation, said eyes being adjacent the pointed ends of said needles and disposed at the side of each needle remote from the other needle. v

12. A mattress tufting machin-e having in combination, means for engaging and supporting a mattress, means for clamping and compressing said mattress along substantially a line extending across said mattress, means movable longitudinally of and above said clamped and compressed portion of said mattress and means carmattress respectively for clamping and 'cornpressing said mattress in a narrow Zone extending thereacross, means at one side of said mattress movable longitudinallyT along said zone and vertically movable means carried by said last' mentioned means for piercing said mattress and at said zone inserting tufts therethrough'one at atime.

14. A mattress tufting machine having in combination, means for supporting a mattress in laterally stationary position means movable across said mattress while the same is stationary Vand carrying means for piercing said mattress to form tufts therein, a member for determining the positions of said tufts and means engageable by the end of the mattress for positioning the mattress relatively to said member to locate said tufts on the mattress and means for holding said last mentioned means in different positions.

, 15. A mattress tufting machine having in combination, means disposed above and below said mattress respectively and movable toward said mattress for clamping and compressing said mattress in a narrow zone extending thereacross, means at one side of said mattress movable longitudinally along said Zone for vertically piercing said mattress and inserting tufts therethrough one at a time, and means cooperating with said second mentioned means for determining the positions of said tufts.

16. A mattress tufting machine having in combination, means disposed above and below said mattress respectively and movable toward said mattress for clamping Vand compressing said mattress in a narrow zone extending thereacross, means at one side of said mattress movable longitudinally along said Zone, vertically movable means carried by said last mentioned means for piercing said mattress and inserting tufts therethrough one at a time, and a bar for determining the location of said tufts, said bar having means thereon for giving definite spacings of said tufts.

17. In a mattress tufting machine, the combination of a supporting framework, a mattress supporting table supported by said framework, a pair of compressor members slidable vertically in the framework and movable downwardly toward the plane of said table and upwardly toward the plane of said table respectively, a lever for shifting said compressor members and a self-locking linkage between said lever and said members.

18. In a mattress tufting machine, the combination of a supporting framework, a Substantially horizontal mattress supporting table supported by said-framework, a pair of compressor members slidable vertically in the framework above and beneath a mattress supported on said table respectively, a manually operated lever for shifting said compressor members and a self-locking linkage between the lever and said members.

19. A mattress tufting machine having in combination, a frame, a mattress supporting table carried by said frame, a pair of compressor members slidable vertically in said frame above and beneath a mattress supported on said table, means for moving said members to compress'said mattress including self-locking means holding said members in said position and means for spotting the points for tufts to be made in said mattress.

20. In a mattress tufting machine, the combination of a supporting framework, a mattress supporting table supported on said framework, a pair of compressor members of a length to extend across said table slidable vertically in said framework above'and beneath a mattress supported 0n said table so as to compress a narrow Zone across said mattress and means for spotting the points for the tufts to be made in said mattress whereby the spacing between said tufts may be made uniform.

21. The structure set forth in claim 20, said last mentioned means comprising a member having spacing indications thereon and adapted to be moved to indicate Va different number of equally spaced tufts across said mattress.

22. A mattress tufting machine having in combination, a pair of clamping members adapted to be disposed respectively on opposite sides of the mattress, means for moving said members toward each other to compress and hold said mattress, said members having openings therethrough, a plunger reciprocable above said members, a needle carried by said plunger adapted to pass through said openings and pierce said mattress, said needle having a slot therein open at one side thereof adapted to receive a flexible member for conveying the same through said mattress.

23. A mattress tufting machine having in combination, a frame, means for engaging and supporting a mattress, comparatively narrow clamping members extending across said mattress disposed on opposite sides thereof and having alined openings therethrough, a carriage mounted on said frame for travelling movement longitudinally thereof and of said members, a plunger reciprocable in said carriage above said members, means carried by said plunger movable through said openings for piercing said mattress and conveying a flexible member therethrough, manual means for depressing said plunger and automatic means for elevating said plunger.

24. A mattress tufting machine having in combination, a mattress support, a pair of clamping members disposed respectively on opposite sides of a mattress carried on said support, said members each being movable toward said mattress and a common operating means for moving said members toward said mattress to clamp the same therebetween, said members having alined openings therethrough, a plunger reciprocable above said members and means carried by said plunger for passing through said openings and piercing said mattress, said means being constructed and arranged to 'carry a cord or flexible member through said mattress and means for operating said plunger, v

25. A mattress tufting machine having in combination, a frame having spaced end members, a mattress support, a pair of clamping bars each extending across said mattress from one side to the other and each having a vertically extending opening therein alined vertically respectively with the opening in the other, guiding means in said end members for said clamping bars, said clamping bars being movable toward said support, members connected to said clamping bars respectively and a means to which said last mentioned members are connected for simultaneously moving the same and. said clamping bars towards each other to clamp a mattress therebetween, a plunger movable on said frame lengthwise of said. clamping bars to aline with said openings therein, means for reci rocating said plunger and a needle carried by said plunger for piercing said mattress to carry a cord or flexible member through said mattress.

26. A mattress tufting machine having in combination, a frame having spaced end members, means for engaging and supporting a mattress, bars extending between said end frames for clamping and compressing a mattress supported on said means, means for moving said bars toward each other to clamp and compress said mattress, a cross rail extending between said end members above said bars, a carriage guided and movable on said cross rail longitudinally of and above said bars, a plunger carried by said carriage and vertically movable therein, a needle carried in the lower end of said plunger and means for depressing said plunger to move said needle through a mattress clamped and compressed by said clamping means.

WALTER H. MORLEY. 

